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Brita UltraMax (XL) 27-Cup Water Filter Dispenser vs LARQ Pitcher PureVis with Advanced Filter
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Brita UltraMax (XL) 27-Cup Water Filter Dispenser ranks higher (#2 vs #3 of 8) and scores better on filter cost & life. LARQ Pitcher PureVis with Advanced Filter wins on filter speed.
The biggest complaint about the Brita UltraMax (XL) 27-Cup Water Filter Dispenser is cracks and leaks; for the LARQ Pitcher PureVis with Advanced Filter it's expensive pitcher and filters. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Brita UltraMax (XL) 27-Cup Water Filter Dispenser | LARQ Pitcher PureVis with Advanced Filter | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in water filter pitchers | #2 | #3 |
| Price tier | $$ | $$$ |
| Type | Dispenser | Pitcher |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 9% | 17% |
| Overall score | 3.9 | 3.5 |
| Filtration (certified) | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Filter speed | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Filter cost & life | 4.5 | 2.0 |
| Easy to use & clean | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Leaks & durability | 3.0 | 3.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $40 · $$ $40–90 · $$$ over $90 (pitcher only, before filters). Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Brita UltraMax (XL) 27-Cup Water Filter Dispenser
- Cracks and leaks
Amazon's review summary says customers report the dispenser cracking at the bottom, and some mention leakage problems.
- Heavy when full
Wirecutter says the one drawback of dispensers is weight: about 15 pounds when both reservoirs are full.
Source: Wirecutter - Standard-filter version has fewer certifications
Serious Eats tested the version with Brita's standard filter and notes it is certified only to NSF/ANSI 42 and 53. Wirecutter says the standard filter is not certified for lead or industrial compounds, so buy the Elite-filter version if that matters.
Source: Serious Eats, Wirecutter
LARQ Pitcher PureVis with Advanced Filter
- Expensive pitcher and filters
CNN calls it the priciest in its pool, with Advanced filters lasting 60 gallons at about 42 cents per gallon. Good Housekeeping says yearly filter cost is higher than others, and Serious Eats lists it among the most expensive.
- App and charger quirks
Good Housekeeping found the app occasionally disconnected after a year, making tracking less accurate. Serious Eats says the magnetic charger falls off easily if bumped.
Source: Good Housekeeping, Serious Eats - Battery or unit failures
Amazon's review summary says some owners report it stopped charging after 1.5 months or broke within two months.
Who should pick which
Pick the Brita UltraMax (XL) 27-Cup Water Filter Dispenser if
Families who drink a lot of water
Kids pouring their own water (spigot)
Narrow fridge shelves
Skip it if: You'd struggle lifting about 15 lb; You want filtered water only in a pitcher you can pour; Your water clogs filters (sediment)
Pick the LARQ Pitcher PureVis with Advanced Filter if
A dishwasher-safe, design-forward pitcher
Tracking filter use in an app
Great-tasting water
Skip it if: You're price-sensitive; You don't want to charge a pitcher; You'd pick the cheaper Essential filter (fewer certifications)
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